DETROIT — Running as a write-in candidate in the upcoming mayoral race, longtime community activist Rogelio Landin is proposing an ambitious reimagining of Detroit—coined “Detroit 2.0.” At the heart of his platform is a sweeping annexation plan to absorb 28 distressed communities in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, aiming to reverse population decline and bolster the city’s economic future.
A Vision of Growth: “More Is More”
Landin frames annexation not as a mere political maneuver but as a strategy to “generate more resources” and restore Detroit’s vibrancy. “Detroit has lost 20,000 people annually over the past 50 years,” he notes, pointing to projections that the regional population will swell by 650,000 immigrants by 2050. He argues that expanding the city boundaries is essential to tapping into that growth.
On his campaign site, “Detroit 2.0” is described as delivering “enhanced, proven solutions to generating more.”
Building on Lifelong
Community Engagement
A Detroit native and Cass Technical High School graduate, Landin brings decades of civic involvement to his campaign. He was an early member of the New Detroit coalition following the 1967 uprising, working to foster economic development, equity, and inclusion. His experience includes advising on neighborhood benefits for major developers, leading local chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and advocating for bilingual education during the pivotal Milliken v. Bradley desegregation case.
Policy Priorities Beyond Boundaries
In addition to annexation, Landin supports bringing Detroit Public Schools under mayoral control, linking entrepreneurs to venture capital, and launching a World Trade Center to attract business.